Planning/Timing NZ to UK trip
 

Hi All,

Could anyone shed some light on riding from NZ, via Oz, then across to ? and riding overland back to UK? We'll be two up, planning to camp as much as possible, and I ride a Triumph Tiger 1050.

My girlfriend and I are living/working in NZ, and love the idea of riding home. We know we'll be in NZ for at least another year, so won't start the trip until late 08/09. We are initially planning at least 3 months touring in Australia, then might have to find work for ?months (to save more cash). But it's the next bit we need some help on...

I know there are others who have done the trip in reverse (started reading their blogs!). I've also checked out the climate info, but was wondering if anyone could give an opinion first hand: when to go, how long to take from Oz to UK, best routes, how much money it might need etc.

Thanks,

Same Idea
 

Joey - I'm planning to do exactly the same thing. See this thread for a bit more detail - and note that my post [#2] sets out my preliminary plans.

Clearly, there are more here that have the same idea - so can I suggest that we all try and keep in touch? It would be great to share ideas, particularly as the research that's gonna be involved to make this trip successful will be significant.

BTW, my Trannie is currently stored in Cromwell, South Island - Whereabouts in NZ are you based now?

Regards

KEITH

PS - Please feel at ease to PM or e-mail me at any time.

Where do you start???
 

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your reply - have checked out that thread and it would be great to keep in touch. Am feeling a little daunted at all the research/planning involved, but loads of people have said how this phase can be just as enjoyable as the trip itself. Would be nice for someone to tell you where to begin though!!!

We're in Auckland at the moment, just came back from a trip to the SI but only passed through Cromwell on the way to Queenstown.

Will email/PM when able and have some further details - we really just started researching this week!

Thanks,

Joey

Joey - Let's keep in touch then. I have plenty of time on my hands for planning trips nowadays. Once my next Springtime's (mid-March -to- end May) return ride across the US is out of the way (San Fran -to- Newark, NJ) then I'll have little else to do except plan the NZ ~~> Blighty adventure, which will definitely kick-off in early 2009 ...

.. bloody exciting ride that's gonna be .. :thumbup1:

Cheers

KEITH

PS - I have spent a lot of time, and have some good friends (inc loads-a JAFAs! :biggrin3:) in Auckland, BTW

Hi Guy's

I have been reading your thread and am planning the same trip leaving Sep - Dec 2008 from NZ - UK via Asia.

I would be very keen to help ( or be helped ) with any planning details, or share any info that can be obtained.

I will be on a BMW F650 and will be camping most of the way as well ( got to cut cost were you can!!)

Cheers Dave

Great!!
 

Looks like we can, between us, get summin' going then, eh.

To be honest my current simple plan is to ride one more last time around NZ from Jan-Feb next year ['09], then get the Transalp across the Tasman to Australia. I'll be spending quite some time in Oz - at least three months - before I head off to Indonesia and then island hop across to Malaysia.

I notice that GeoffL has something similar planned, albeit from Singapore to Switzerland; but I do like his outline idea of: Singapore - Malaysia - Thailand - Bangladesh - India - Nepal - India - Pakistan - Iran - Turkey - Bulgaria - Serbia - Hungary - Austria - Switzerland. All I/we got to do is add-on France - England

[Incidentally, I'm maybe facing a similar potential carnet problem as Geoff, insofar as I have a Kiwi registered bike that I want to ride one-way back to the UK - after which I intend to re-register it with the DVLA.]

So in summary: My first thoughts, after NZ, are to devise a dogs-bollocks route around Australia, taking advantage of the north~~>south climate divide as far as possible. E.g. I don't want to be up north during the Ozzy rainy season. This might even involve a two-stage tour, with a short['ish] break in between back in the UK. THEN I'll need to seriously get to grips with the rest of the trip. BUT, of course, I am keeping my eye-on-the-ball regarding the whole trip right now.

Does this make sense to you?

Cheers for now - and keep in touch

KEITH - the [mad] Cornishman .. :huh:

Weather
 

Hiya keith1954

Not sure if anyone has helped out on the OZ weather, but probably best to look late march if transporting to Melbourne, that way you would have a month of fine(ish) touring along southern areas, a month as you head towards the middle, and a month for the northern areas. By the time you are north for may/june, you are well out of the wet season and you will also miss the majority of the inland heat. Keep in mind you will still experience a change from around 18c to 32c (fluctuate from 15c to 40c possible but unlikely depending on the route you take) as you head north.

You can ship out of Darwin (I am looking at OZ>London) for a 'reasonable' cost, so might help on the where to finish decision. Regular runs occur to Singapore from Darwin.

Hope this helps!

Oz weather
 

Darwin is always around 30C .. the thing that changes is the humidity/rain. Humdity in Sept, Oct, Nov.. Rain Dec to Feb.

It will be below freezing at night in the inland during June/July .. possibly well below. Makes camping chilly!

Should be something here Home Page - Bureau of Meteorology

Budgets
 

It will be great to put all our ideas together and assist each other in the planning.

After a bit of discussion, we (me and my girlfriend) are going to plan the Oz leg first. Leaving sometime in 09, depending on the weather but the suggestion of late March sounds like a nice plan and fits into the research we've done so far.

We're a bit worried about the finances, and might have to stop in Oz to earn some cash. Does anyone have a rough budget yet for three months in Oz, or even the cost to ride back to UK?

And, has anyone found out a good time of year to start the Oz to UK leg?

Our Oz route so far looks like shipping into Melbourne, riding up the east coast to Darwin to then ship out. We've read on the threads that Sydney is not the greatest place to ship/fly a bike into. Maybe a detour inland - but with two-up and not much off road experience: gravel is not my best friend yet!

Now the new years started - I'm going all out with research and planning. Hope to have some stuff to share soon.

Cheers, Joey

I have been harbouring the idea of shipping by sea from Auckland to Brisbane.

The crossing seems fairly straightforward; just four days. Although I haven't done any real research in this area yet, nevertheless a cursory Google search quickly found me this information.

My initial thoughts have been to split the Oz tour into two stages, with Stage 1 ending in Perth as I have friends, British ex-pats, who live there. I could leave the bike with them in order to take a break back in the UK (my parents are old and frail and I cannot leave their welfare entirely to my sister); or just keep on going - Stage 2 - eventually back up to Darwin to ship out. I would, however, like to incorporate the north-eastern seaboard in this second stage, say the Brisbane ~~> to Cairns stretch.

How does this Stage 1 itinerary look to you fine Aussie folk, am I getting there? or am I way off beam?:

Brisbane
↓
go inland à Toowoomba
↓
Great Dividing Range
↓
Sydney
↓
Melbourne (via the coast)
↓
Great ocean road to Broken Hill or Adelaide
↓
then due north to Alice
↓
Ayres Rock
↓
Monkey Mia (April/May)
↓
Perth

-----------------------------------------------------------
Notes

Darwin – but not before late February
(NB – the Fatherine Gorge is fantastic)
↓
Northwest to Broome – just before Easter (as it gets very crowded at Easter time)
(NB – Cable beach is where you get the best sunsets)

The timings and the costs
 

Hi folks,

Will try to help out here:

Keith1954: Stage 1 looks pretty good but is weather dependant. I can really only comment on the Mel>Perth trip, although have done some driving/riding around qld and northern NSW (I get around with my work a bit). Anway, recently rode to my parents place in canberra (I live in Roxby Downs, SA but am about to move to Perth) for christmas, around 4,500km return. Went via the 'Hay Plain' on the way over and followed a storm front across - perfect weather generally other than the times I got ahead and a little bit wet. Then came back via Bendigo/Great Ocean Road/Hahndorf (Adelaide)/Roxby Downs. Weather went from high 30s, to mid teens, to low 40s, to mid high 40s. In other words, all over the place and hard to prepare for. I also don't recommend riding in mid 40s, the bike and you will not enjoy it (neither did my wife on the back...)

Doesn't really help, but it is generally the biggest issue riding Australia, big country with different temperate zones. By the time you hit Alice it cools (very slightly) to around high 30s/low 40s this time of the year.

The GOR is a must, and I believe you have friends in Adelaide(?) so from ADL ride the route up to Alice, but do Uluru etc. on the way. There isn't much in the way of exploration on the way without large prep times (you could go inland at Coober Pedy and do the Ooodndatta track), but there are plenty of side tracks. From Uluru go to Kings Canyon, then up through the Merenie loop (depending on your ride), this is a nice bush track that will take you through the west macdonald ranges, and as you get closer to Alice, some fantastic vists/camping.

You can get lost in Alice for weeks of riding - I got lost there for 3 years and still didn't see it all:thumbup1:

Coming out of Alice, you might enjoy the run along the Tanami track across to Western Australia. This will take you past Wolf Creek NP and a number of mines. All interesting country but interspersed with some log bits of boredom...

After that, head to Broome and Head South - and you are on your way!

Joey1007: This is an open ended question on costs for oz. If you can camp, stay at a mates place and live on baked beans, you could easily live on $50p/n plus bike k's. Saying that it could get tiring living like that. Seasonal work tends to occur in the 'southeast' of Australia around the late spring, early summer time (fruit picking, etc), so not very helpful for a comfortable ride, but during winter in Alice Springs you can get work anytime (assuming visa) for outdoors companies and bar/cafes. Same goes with a lot of areas along the Queensland north coast, a lot of it though is right place right time, and without seeing your skills or what you are after it is hard to help on the job side of things.

galesa2 and I are looking at Oz to UK early 2010 via shipping to india or bangladesh. Feb seems to be the best time for our route (see OZ>UK post, we are still trying to get some advice), but I have costed for around 13,000AUD which takes into account bike purchase, transport, but then selling everything once back in Oz. This is also living fairly rough, and camping as much as possible.

For Sydney, I would assume that you would like to check out the opera house and all that stuff, you know, all the typical Oz landmarks? If so, ride upto the Blue Mountains (look for Katoomba on the map - plenty of backpackers), camp or find a place to stay and catch the train into the city for a day - this will mean you don't have to worry about the tolls, and also get to enjoy another outdoors experience of Australia. Sydney is actually not that hard to negotiate, it is just paying tolls and unappreciative drivers that are the problem - then again you are going to ride in India, so shouldn't concern you too much:eek3:

In your 3 months, I encourage you not to just stick to the coast (unless you are into mad keen surfing or something). The centre is incredible if you haven't experienced it before, and can be a tast of the 'real' australia.

Hope this helps guys, if you need any more, just give me a holler!

OzGaz et al - Thanks a lot for this very useful information - I really do appreciate your time and effort. So Stage #1 is starting to shape-up like this:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/239897004-M.jpg

Approx 10,000 km (6,200 miles) in total distance from Brisbane (A) to Perth (S). As I am comfortable covering weekly averages of 1,100 to 1,200 miles (1,850 km /week), then I should allow around six weeks for the journey, eh?

Starting say towards the end of February, I would be in Broome (Q) by the start of April, just before Easter. This is good, as I been advised that Broome can get very crowded during the Easter holiday period. Then another 10-12 days or so to get down to my friends place in Perth (actually, they live in Secret Harbour). Takes some days off there to get the bike serviced and sorted and then either, (a) fly back to England for the start of our summer; or (b) keep on going, back up to the northeast RH coast - the Brisbane to Cairns stretch in particular - and then ultimately onwards towards the far north & Darwin.

This fits well with your advice regarding the Aussie seasons too ... woohooo! .. strewth, I think I gotta plan going on here! :thumbup1:

Just one more question to ask, if I may: I generated the picture above by using Google Maps. Ideally, I would like to have a decent mapping software programme loaded onto my laptop's HD to work out routes and distances, etceteras. Up here, in this hemisphere, I use Microsoft's:

1. 'Autoroute' for Europe; and
2. 'Streets & Trips' for North America.

Is there an equivalent software application for Australia?

Cheers - and thanks again.

KEITH

Looks good
 

Keith1954 - looks good and the weather will be just about spot on - makes me want to scrap the Oz>UK plans and do my own backyard again!

One thing I forgot to ask, what bike are you riding? A couple of the ideas I had (Tanami Track, for example) would need Dual Sport to get along (currogated but large dirt tracks). If you go along the Tanami just after the wet season (which you will looking at the itinerary), the Mining companies along the road will prepare a welcoming party for you by grading the whole lot around March, makes for a much easier ride:thumbup1:

For programs, online is whereis.com - Unsupported browser - a fairly simple program, but with the full maps. I actually use a Magellan GPS for all my travel and have the 'Track and Topo' card or what ever it is called - handy. If you want to pay, UBD (UBD | DVDs | Street directory, Map, Refidex, Australia, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne) have a collection of DVD/CD ROMs with the detail you are probably after. Don't worry about being too prepared though, outside of the cities everything is really well signposted, and any locals at a service station or in a pub will be happy to help.

As always let me know if you need aymore info, and if you get the chance in Perth, send us a message and we can share a beer.

DANG! OzGaz - I'm impressed!

To answer you question - I have two motorcycles:

1. A Honda 2005 ST1300 Pan-European, which is currently hibernating in barn just south of San Francisco, California.

2. I also have a 2005 Honda XL650V Transalp, which is currently tucked-up in storage down in Cromwell Township, South Island, New Zealand. I'll be going back there after my last excursion to NZ - to meet-up (in Christchurch) with a Yankee friend or two - at the end of January/beginning of Feb next year ['09], when we'll together ride around and up to Auckland, NI. Immediately afterwards I'll be kitting-out the Trannie for serious long-distance touring - yunno, decent durable panniers, like Metal Mules, etc - before shipping her across the Ditch by around the end of February '09 to start the Ozzy tour - that time-frame is now sorted, thanks to you, et al. :yes:

Here's a pic of my southern hemisphere-based baby, which is good, of course, for tar-sealed or dirt roads:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/229913632-M.jpg

I hope we can maybe meet-up next year - that would be cool! :cool4:

Cheers OzGaz - and again, thank you for your help and guidance so far.

Kind regards

KEITH

Thanks OzGaz for the tips. I've been looking at budgets and what we can save - think we've got enough to do the whole NZ to UK trip in one go, and estimate roughly 6-8 months for the trip. Would love to be back in UK by end of 2009.

Been reading the Oz Lonely Planet about places to visit and we definitely want to stay a little way away from all the beach tourists (never been surfing in my life!), and head inland. I love the idea to travelling into Sydney for the sights but not having the hassle of staying there.

I've also been looking at the Lonely Planet website for info about best times to travel back to UK but it seems you have to make the best of it with timing - and we're still looking at March or Feb for Oz, then after three months or so heading up to Indonesia or maybe East Timor (have read a couple of blogs by Kiwi and Oz riders about the Darwin to Dili crossing). Then maybe a little time in Malaysia, Thailand (possibly Cambodia and Laos depending on weather and time).

Just started looking into shipping from Bangkok into Nepal or India (to get round the Myanmar/China problem). Then after India, into Pakistan and Iran. Trouble is that we'll be heading across Turkey and Europe into late autumn. The Europe leg will be the shortest - easy to tour Europe at a later stage being based in UK.

Keith1954, your route around Oz looks great. I'm riding a Triumph Tiger, and with it being laden 2-up plus luggage am a little nervous about off road tracks. I guess it's possible to tour round mostly on sealed roads...I'm off to make a map like yours! They're right about the planning stages being good fun.

Cheers for all the help and ideas,
Joey

great minds think alike!
 

hi joey, i haven't checked the hubb for a while but im planning pretty much the same trip as you at the same time! im living in auckland saving at the moment, a couple diffrent ideas that i have are, flighing me and the bike from viangchan in loas to dhaka in bangladesh to get around the berma, china bit and also get on the kkh into china for a short time then take a left into the stans and take the pamir highway through to the caspian and into eurpoe that way,
where abouts in N.Z are you living now? could be good to meet up and bounce a few ideas around, i was thinking of leaving aussie at the end of febuary, cheers trevor

"Living in Auckland and saving at the moment"...
 

Hi Trev, the saving thing sounds familiar! We're living in Milford now, if you're local it would be good to meet up for a chat, pretty much anytime is good with me. I had pretty much dismissed the 'stan's as I'm concerned about the infrastructure up there, the last thing i want to be doing is digging the bike out of a sand-pit! Do you know otherwise?

We have started sorting a spreadsheet out, giving details of border crossings, visa conditions, shipping options etc. I'm quite amazed at how much info you can pull off the web in such a short space of time. It might just be possible after all!

Joey

hi
so your in milford, where abouts is that? ive been hear for a couple years now but really havent got around to much affraid, and i see theres a mini HU meeting in feduary were you planning to go?
the infrastructure in the stans is fine as there all ex russion countrys you have the tarmack to get you anywhere and in pretty sure its only turkmin that you have to worry about sand, but they are a bit stricted on where you cant go so you would probably have to stick to the main roads anyway, but for me tajikistan is the one looking at some pics from there it has some of the best landscape you can find anywhere, the only trouble it getting there, as i may have to duck into china, up to kashi then hang a left, and as you know china is the nemisis of all RTW trips:thumbdown:
from what i can see you can get most visias on the borders so im not to worryed about then, the stans are where im going to have to think ahead, bike insurance is the one im thinking about, i know you can get "insurance" for most S.E.A countrys at the borders but how good it is, is anouther question, have you had any thorts on it? cheers

North Shore, Auckland
 

Hi,

Milford is on the North Shore of Auckland, and it's fairly easy for us to travel around Auckland from here. Had heard about the HU meeting in Feb, but it's in SI I think, and that weekend clashes with my girlfriends parents holiday from the UK.

Have also found the visa issue to be okay, except india which gives you six months starting from the date of issue, so means we will have to apply whilst in Oz somewhere. Shouldn't be to hard as we plan to visit Canberra, Sydney and Darwin after we fly into Melbourne.

Our next idea might be to ship the bike from Darwin to KL, Malaysia if budget and time is tight (skipping Indonesia).

But we haven't looked at insurance yet - although the pages on insurance in the planning section of HU looks pretty useful. Next plan is checking on the bike paperwork, carnet, driving license etc. before getting shipping quotes. And then there is the constant route research (completed at present by Pakistan).

Cheers, Joey

RTW - Where to go?
 

Joey, Trevor

As you're looking to plan a route through Asia, then for some ideas take a look at these Polish ATers and GSers & Co in the Himalaya's; absolutely stunning photographs, which are easily the best that I've ever ever seen posted by any travelling bikers.

route found!!!
 

hi keith
just been looking at that blog and wow!!!!!! i think i have found my route through india! i was planning on going to kashmir i just hope the road to leh is open when i get there, thanks for that link

joey

yeah the insurance pages on hear are good, theres a good american company who seemed to do worldwide coverage sorry forgotern what there name is, the carnet is a slight isue, i was told by the rac in england that it should be fine to get a carnet in anouther country even if your not a resident there, which was good to know, perhaps we can help each outher out with any problems we come across, cheers

trev

Meeting Arthurs Pass Feb 16
 

Hi Joey. We are running the meeting at Arthurs Pass, this year AND next year. Also, we are presently planning (and have been for a number of years) the same route as you. Just waiting for kids to get a bit older.... we are looking at about 2010 to leave. In the mean time we have been hosting travelers and picking their brains for about 7 years. A long lead-in time, I know, but that's what families do to you. They kinda make you want to stay around! Anyway, if you can't come to this year's mini-meeting, plan on next year. That one will be a full meeting, with all the ra-ra that goes with it.

Kind regards

Nigel

If only the in-laws weren't here
 

Hi Nigel,

I was really looking forward to another trip down to the SI until I realised that the mini HU clashed with the in-laws visit. But will definitely be there for next years meeting (unless that is, we've left the country already!).

Preparation/research has slowed down whilst we get ready for our visitors. But we're sorted with what visa's we need, have a good idea about where to ship, and it's now a case of reading all the lonely planet guides we can get hold of to plan a route through each country.

Enjoy the meeting - hope any one that goes who is planning this route can share some info on the Hubb when they return!

Joey

Love to attend
 

Nigel - I'll be in Auckland for the second half of February next year ['09] - from Sat-14 to Sat-28. I won't really have the time to ride down to Arthurs Pass (having just ridden up from Christchurch to Auckland, starting Sat-31-Jan), but I see no reason why I shouldn't fly down from AKL to CHC; then somehow get from Christchurch across to the HU Meeting. This second overland stage will, however, be the challenge for me, as the early morning flights into CHC (from AKL) start landing from around 7:30am - 8:00am.

After a cursory on-line search I notice that there are two services that run daily between Christchurch and Greymouth , e.g: (1) the Tranz Alpine train; and (2) the Coast to Coast Bus Service. Both of these would get me into Arthurs Pass by around - or shortly after - 10:30am. In time, I guess, for the start - or shortly after the start - of the HU Meeting. BUT here lies the rub?! because both services leave Christchurch at or shortly after - 8:00am! It's gonna be very tight indeed, maybe even impossible, for me to get from CHC Airport to the overland departure venues in Christchurch before the train or bus leaves for Arthurs Pass /Greymouth.

Do you know of, or can you suggest, some other means of getting to the Meeting's venue? as I would definitely love to attend and talk with you guys.

Thanks

KEITH

Postscript
 

PS - Nigel, thinking on, I reckon the best way forward here is for me to get an evening flight down on Friday-20th, stopover in Christchurch, then get across to Arthurs Pass the following morning. Going back, I can always catch a return flight to AKL during the evening of Monday-23. This would take all the heat out of the travel situation(s).

Indeed, the Coast-to-Coast bus service will even pick-up/set-down at selected inner city [Christchurch] Hotels/Motels/Backpackers points at no extra charge. See 'Other Information'. This has got to be the way to go.

See you all next year then .. :thumbup1:

Cheers

KEITH

2009 HU meeting
 

Hi Keith. Next year's meeting is going to be a full one, not a mini like this year. this means it will be three or four days, so at the least a Friday start. However, it will still be fine to come for only a couple of days of course. As to transport, don't worry, I'm certain there will be a spare bike somewhere in my shed that you could use. There are about 30 there at present! I will be taking the truck as there will be lots of gear.
Thanks for planning to come.
This year's mini-meeting is shaping up well. 20 people booked, NZers, Aussies, Swiss, Irish, English, Czech. Nearly hafl women too, so the womens workshop should be good.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

Woohooo!
 

Nigel! - You're just too cool mate! .. :clap:

I'll deffo see you next year then. Can't wait.

Cheers for now

KEITH

A place to stay in Perth
 

Joey & Keith

Just reading your planned route to UK, one which I hope to do in 2010.

In the meantime, if you need somewhere in Perth to get fed & watered, keep my details & you'd be welcome to drop in. PM me for details.

I have a new tiger as well and was wondering just how it'd do across the continent. Two up is ambitious as Im around 95 kgs at the moment and my wife is 60. Dont know where I would store all the necessary gear for camping, so will be interested in how you manage.

Regards
Steven

Tiger luggage
 

Hi Stevenkirk,

Thanks very much for your offer, I reckon we could be heading out that way, if i find myself in the area, I'll give you a shout...

I'm not sure myself yet how we're gonna get along with gear etc. I have the OEM panniers, but there's no way these are roomy enough for any length of time, not when carrying camping gear, and being plastic they WILL 'explode' into a thousand pieces if they hit the deck. I can see it going one of 2 ways; either i bite the bullet and shell out for the metal mule style cases, (which would be ideal if they didn't cost so much) or similar, coupled with a smallish tank bag and/or tank panniers (for the heavier stuff) would be ideal.

Otherwise i'm toying with the idea of making a custom marine ply/glass fibre top box/pannier combo effort thngy, reinforced where needed, that can bolt to the rack and rear sub frame. I think this will be the way i end up going, but there's so many options i really don't think this will be an issue either way...

The rear shock is another matter altogether... Maybe i should go on a diet?:(

Joey

More thanks
 

Thanks from me too Steven. I reckon that we should be swinging through Perth from the north - on the way to Secret Harbour (City of Rockingham) - towards the middle/end of April next year [‘09]. See you then mate.

I confirm Joey’s concerns regarding plastic panniers. I had a gravel ‘off’ last year in NZ, which more-or-less trashed my Givi panniers. See the pic below. They may spray-up okay for the jaunt up through from South Island to Auckland next February, but then I’m definitely going to switch to something more robust before shipping to Brisbane. I’m currently focusing on the Hepco & Becker products – possibly the aluminium option[s], or maybe Gobis in the composite material.

As far as weight and ambition goes; well, we have considered getting a second bike for ‘er-indoors to ride - she has her own m-c driver’s licence BTW - but this would, of course, mean twice the running and maintenance costs, which is a high price to pay for the extra load-carrying capacity. But as we have done many 2-3 week trips (+ a 5-week trip on one occasion) together in the past, we reckon a series of 3-month rides will more-or-less the same - only a bit longer .. if you get my drift!

After Perth we’ll go home (UK) for a few months; then return and ride back eastwards to Brisbane; then up to Darwin ~~> crossing to Indonesia and/or Malaysia. After a second three months worth of travelling we’ll go home again .. temporarily storing our Transalp in somewhere like Singapore or possibly Bangkok. Then after another reasonable break in the UK we’ll go back and explore the SE Asia mainland region for another three months; with the intention of gradually moving ever further west .. et seq .. thus making our way back home over the course of several potential trips. The logic here is that we both have ageing parents, which we don’t feel we can leave for more than 3 months at a time. Moreover, we have a nice home here in England to maintain - and we definitely don’t want to rent this out to strangers.

More about the Luggage Issue: Finally, I must say that nowadays I’m more and more coming around to the idea of travelling really light, by only permanently packing things that we’ll need for the whole trip. For instance, you can buy flip-flops when you get there (you will want to hit a beach eventually) and ditch/give them when you leave. In fact, the same goes for just about everything you think you might need for some portions of your trip. IMHO it's got to be worth spending money on the road to save on valuable stowage space, plus a few kgs.

Cheers

KEITH

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/233687267_sQjSD-M.jpg

Hey guys, thanks to Keith I found this thread. Ive only just started planning my trip from either UK to Aus or the other way round, Aus to UK. I was planning riding:

Here is a VERY rough idea of what I had in mind. I really want to visit Laos, UAE, Croatia and Germany while riding.

Here the link to the map http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...y/ec7bd35e.gif

I wanna take around 3 -6 months to ride it if possible with camping and budget accommodation involved. Im looking around at bikes at the moment, as so far im liking the BMW F650 Dakar the most.